Or at least, he had been.
Clara swung the baby bag over her shoulder and followed him into the luxury condo building. Within minutes, he was trying to pull the key from his pocket while juggling Hunter.
“You need to make me a key,” she said, batting his hand away and slipping her fingers into his pocket for him.
He stiffened as she fished for the keys in an action she obviously didn’t think twice about.
But while he might be her best friend, he was still man enough to notice just how close her fingers were to a certain part of his anatomy.
This is Clara. Get your brain out of the gutter.
Because as much as he might want to teasingly suggest she shift her hand over a little bit, those were words he could never say to her.
“Got ’em,” she said, sliding the keys into the lock before opening the door.
He cleared his throat before saying, “Thanks.”
They’d just stepped into the entranceway when a woman rounded the corner.
“Mr. Beckett,” she greeted, striding over with a bright smile. “I’m Emily Williams, the nanny. Your assistant arranged for me to come over.”
“Great to meet you, Emily,” he said, reaching out to shake her hand, looking her up and down. The petite woman barely looked older than Clara, and he couldn’t help wondering how useful she’d be to them, for all her professional demeanor. “We’re looking forward to seeing your skills.”
“I’ve been working with kids for over ten years,” she said, tucking a piece of blonde hair behind her ear. “My references are impeccable, I assure you.” She leaned down to examine the baby. “Andrew told me you all had a busy day figuring out this little guy’s health. Why don’t I put him down for a nap and you two can take a breather? There’s a fresh pot of coffee in the kitchen.”
“I think I might love you,” Clara said. “Coffee sounds perfect right now.”
Emily smiled. “Then Hunter and I will give you a little space. May I?” She held out her arms, waiting expectantly.
His hands tightened on his son automatically.
“Walker?” He glanced at Clara and the question in her eyes. “It’s okay,” she said, putting her hand on his arms. “We’re right here if he needs us.”
“Of course.” He held Hunter out for the nanny to take. Watching Clara pick up his child was the most natural thing in the world, but watching the baby in a strange woman’s arms stirred something inside him he’d rather not examine too closely.
“I’ll settle him in your room,” Emily said. “I also set up a baby monitor in the kitchen so you can keep an eye on him.”
“Thank you,” Clara said. “We’ll take advantage of that coffee now. Let us know if you need any help.”
“I’m sure this little guy is tired out. Shouldn’t be too much trouble,” Emily answered with a warm smile. She took the baby bag from the floor and headed to the staircase that led to the second floor and the bedrooms.
“Come on, let’s get you some coffee,” Clara said when he followed Hunter’s progression with his gaze.
Grabbing his arm, she steered him into the kitchen and into one of the chairs at the marble island. Within minutes, there was a steaming cup of sinfully black liquid sitting before him.
“Better?” Clara asked, hopping up onto the chair beside his, a cup nestled in her own hands.
“Hell of a day.”
“Tell me about it,” she replied. “Everything is shifting in your world. Just lean into it. What else can you do?”
“I don’t ‘lean in.’”
“You do now,” she said, taking a sip. “Children are tiny bundles of chaos. Time to learn to go with the flow.”
He ran a hand down his face. “Nothing will ever be the same.”
Her brown gaze met his for a second as if to say, “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
She didn’t voice the words, however, but simply turned her attention back to her drink.
“Was the paper okay with you skipping today?” he said, trying to change the subject. “I don’t want your work impacted by all this. I can give Diane a check for your time if it helps.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not every problem is solvable with money.”
His chuckle was self-deprecating. “You have no idea how naive that sentence is.”
“If that’s how you approach your days, then maybe shaking up your life is a good thing. Not everyone has an agenda.”
He reached over and took her hand in his. “I like your view of the world better than mine.”
Her eyes were on his again. Coffee forgotten, he allowed himself this moment to enjoy the simple pleasure of touching her. Even if only as a friend.